Dallas Light The Night Honored Hero: Brennen Lyons

The Light The Night Walk (LTN) to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) celebrates participants in all stages of a cancer battle - patients, survivors, caregivers, friends and family.  Each year the LTN team selects a couple honored heroes for each walk site to serve as inspiration.

Brennen Lyons is one of the 2017 honored heroes for the Dallas Walk.  As you read his story, told by his mother, you will see why he was chosen for this honor.  He is such a strong little boy.

Brennen was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 2.

His mother tells his story in her own words.

"Just the word “Leukemia” was scary to me at the time.  I had no idea everything that went along with it and the journey we were about to be on as a family.  I guess the story really starts the first week of June.  I had to be admitted to the hospital to be monitored for a week before I could deliver Brennen’s little sister, Brooklyn.  It was the first time I had been away from Brennen overnight.  He started to be extremely cranky, not eating well and waking up at night.  We contributed it all to the fact he was away from his mommy for the first time.  I finally delivered my baby girl on June 11, 2010.  That day, my parents brought Brennen up to the hospital to see me and his new sister.  I immediately asked them if they thought his face looked puffy.  Everyone told me he looked fine and nothing was wrong.  However, when we got home, the crying, not eating well, etc. continued.  I called his pediatrician and got a same day appointment.  Verdict- ear infection.  Ok, no big deal.  He had several before this one.  But two days later and he was not improving and now his little lymph nodes were swollen.  Took him back to pediatrician and they explained the infection was just really bad and gave a stronger antibiotic.  Next morning, his little neck looked like he swallowed a golf ball.  Once again, back to the pediatrician.  This time, they decided to run labs.  Nurse came back in the room and explained the sample didn’t work and they needed to get another sample.  I didn’t think much of it.  About 10 minutes later, the pediatrician came in and started crying.  Instinctively, I started crying and I didn’t even know anything yet!  The fact the doctor was crying was a very bad sign!  She explained to me that her machine wouldn’t even read Brennen’s white blood count due to it being high and that she was certain he has either Lymphoma or Leukemia.  My heart sunk but a part of me thought she could be wrong.   She called Texas Children’s Hospital and told them we were on our way.

When we arrived, they were indeed waiting for us.  They instantly took us back to a room, ran labs, did an echocardiogram, x-rays- you name it.  Within a few hours, they confirmed he had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  His WBC was so high they were afraid his little organs were going to shut down and he had a large mass around his heart and trachea.  He would have literally suffocated if I had not taken him in when I did and the mass continued to grow.  Due to his high counts, he was admitted to the ICU.  That day and the days to follow for the next 3 ½ years have left memories a mother should never have.  Watching what he had to go through was heartbreaking.

Brennen is truly my hero.  He would wear a smile even when in pain.  He endured 26 Lumbar punctures, 10 days of radiation, 6 cancer center hospital stays, 1 ICU stay, 7 blood transfusions, 2 bone marrow aspirations and 3 years, 3 months and 27 days of chemotherapy!!

I thank God every day for Brennen’s strength and courage to get through.  I am so grateful!  I pray for a cure so others do not have to go through this."

Inspired by Brennen? Consider walking alongside him on Saturday, November 11th at Trinity Groves in Dallas. Registration is now open. 

Fort Worth Light The Night Honored Hero: Cliff Lewis

The Light The Night Walk (LTN) to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) celebrates participants in all stages of a cancer battle - patients, survivors, caregivers, friends and family.  Each year the LTN team selects a couple honored heroes for each walk site to serve as inspiration.

Cliff Lewis is one of the 2017 honored heroes for the Fort Worth Walk.  As you read his story you will see why he was chosen for this honor.  He is the embodiment of what an honored hero should be - determined, optimistic, dedicated, and selfless.

"June 11, 2012, just eleven days after proposing to his now wife and six months after the birth of their first daughter, Cliff was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. The diagnosis came with many challenges along with multiple lumbar punctures, radiation, blood transfusions, and over 200 hours of chemotherapy.

Cliff's journey with LLS Light the Night Walk began in 2012 with the persuasion of his older sister while he was enduring treatment. Watching the support of the local community and caregivers and listening to the moving testimonials of current patients and survivors, it inspired him to dedicate his time and emotions to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

Currently, Cliff is celebrating his five year cancerversary with his wife and three kids cancer-free. With the support of donors and volunteers that share the same vision to rid the world of cancer and improve the quality of life for patients and caregivers, we can continue to have more success stories similar to Cliff's."

Inspired by Cliff?  Consider walking alongside him on Sunday, November 5th at the Fort Worth Walk at Panther Island Pavilion. Registration is now open.

#TNTbecause - Meet Robert Mullins

We are continuing our series on the blog with interviewing current Team In Training (TNT) participants. Today we are chatting with Robert Mullins of Tyler.  Robert is a long time volunteer of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  He first got involved after his wife lost her battle to Lymphoma.  Over the years, he has served as the team captain of The Lymphoblasters fundraising team for Light The Night as well as completed several Team In Training fundraising events. He regularly serves as an all star volunteer and representative of TNT at local events around North Texas. 

1. What got you involved with Team In Training?

My late wife, Vanessa Rae Holland Mullins. I made a commitment to her to continue with her journey of finding a cure for blood cancers.  I heard about Team In Training and decided to not only help on her journey but to get myself healthy enough to run my first half marathon.  

2. Finish this sentence, I do "TNTBecause..."

I made a promise to my late wife that if she was to succumb to Lymphoma, then I will do all I can within my power to help find a cure.  TNT was another avenue within LLS that I could continue with her mission and the Society's mission that Someday is Today. 

3. Tell us why you continue to volunteer with TNT.

I continue to volunteer due to the relationships that have been formed with other members and staff.  We are all in this fight together. 

4. What's your favorite TNT memory so far? 

My favorite memory would be participating and finishing my first half marathon rightly named "Hero Thon".  It was held in San Antonio and was organized by LLS and TNT. 

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It's not too late to join the TEAM this season.  Register for an event today.
www.teamintraining.org

Meet Makenna: Links Fore Leukemia Honored Hero

The Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament presented by Venari Resources is a day of great golf, competition and camaraderie.  Most importantly, the tournament exists to help fund The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's relentless drive to find cures for blood cancers.

Ten-year-old Makenna has agreed to serve as the 2017 Honored Hero.  She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) just days before her 8th birthday.  Doctors quickly learned she had a mutation that made her leukemia more difficult to treat.  She faced 10 different types of chemotherapy, 25 spinal taps, and countless needle pokes.  After 10 months of intense chemotherapy treatment, she is in remission!  Although she continues to receive monthly maintenance chemo through her port, as well as daily chemo pills at home, she is thankful to be back in school and participating in the activities that she loves.

Since her diagnosis, Makenna has embraced her diagnosis and the opportunity to educate other children about leukemia and why it's important to fund research.  As Makenna likes to say, she looks forward to a time when "they can give you a shot to prevent leukemia from ever happening!"
We are inspired by her strong spirit and fierce determination not to let her leukemia diagnosis stop her from enjoying childhood.

Three Ways to Get Involved:
Inspired by Makenna's story to get involved?  Here are three ways you can get involved with the tournament today:
1. Register yourself and your foursome to play in the tournament.
2. Purchase a group of golf balls for the Helicopter Ball Drop presented by Elbit Systems of America
3. Share this post with somebody who would be interested in golfing with us.

Save the Date:
Monday, June 26th
TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas
www.linksforeleukemiadallas.org

Student of the Year Winner Stephen McCarty Raises $51,250

The Grand Finale Gala for the North Texas Student of the Year campaign was held last Friday night at the Renaissance Hotel in Dallas.  A group of six dedicated and driven local high school students raised more than $61,996 in six weeks!

Stephen McCarty, a student at Covenant Classical School in Fort Worth, raised more than $51,250 and was named the 2017 North Texas Student of the Year.  He jumped at the opportunity to participate in the program because his father is currently undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one of the deadliest types of leukemia.  Stephen said he fundraised because he knows first-hand the impact a cancer diagnosis can have on a family.  Stephen used social media pages like Caring Bridge to help generate awareness of his campaign.  He sent fundraising letters to all of his family and friends and hosted several fun events at local venues in the Fort Worth area.  His Luau for Leukemia night and his Bingo night brought in over $3,500 for his campaign.

The success, creativity and ingenuity of the Student of the Year candidates far surpassed all expectations of the North Texas staff and Board of Trustees members.  Thank you to all of the students who participated!

Recruitment is already underway for the 2018 Student of the Year campaign.  High school sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible to raise money for LLS and win college scholarships.  Learn more about the campaign here or contact Jessica Buckman.

Meet the Fort Worth Boy & Girl of the Year

The Fort Worth Man & Woman of the Year campaign is off to a strong start.  The six candidates are raising funds in honor of Katie Thomson and Jaden Lowery, our Boy and Girl of the Year.  The Boy & Girl of the Year are local blood cancer survivors who represent thousands of children and adults who are fighting blood cancers every day. 

Meet Katie Thomson

On January 24, 2015, when she was 10 years old, Katherine (Katie) was diagnosed with High Risk B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. When her cancer did not go into remission after the first round of chemo, Katie’s diagnosis was changed from “High Risk” to “Very High Risk”. With the new diagnosis came a new treatment plan, and Katie learned that she would need to receive a bone marrow transplant. Katie spent 10 weeks on the hematology/oncology floor at Cook Children’s and another 4 weeks in the Bone Marrow Unit. She received her transplant on April 22, 2015 and is doing very well! She enjoys all types of art projects, dancing, spending time with family and cuddling with her dog, Dolly.

Meet Jaden Lowery

Jaden, is a courageous 7 year old that fought cancer like a warrior! Jaden was 6 years old, and five weeks into his first grade year at a new school, when he was diagnosed with B Cell Lymphoma. Everywhere he goes, he somehow manages to touch the heart of others. He adores his little sister, Cameron (1 year old), and thrives to teach her everything he knows. Today, he has monthly doctor visits consisting of blood draws and physical exams by his hematologist. He still enjoys church, karate, soccer, and going to school. His favorite subject is math. Jaden wants to be a surgeon when he grows up to help other children. Jaden's parents say that they are extremely blessed and extremely thankful for the wonderful physicians and staff at Cooks Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth Texas.

* * * *

The Fort Worth MWOY campaign is running alongside the Dallas MWOY campaign.  The Grand Finale Gala will be help on Saturday , May 20th at the Fort Worth Convention Center in the main ballroom. Tickets are now available for purchase.

We wish all of the candidates the best of luck!

www.mwoy.org/ntx 

Team Ecks Factor Sets Goal at $250,000

Meet North Texas's Newest Mega Team! 

Team Ecks Factor

Dave Eckberg is a hero to so many people.  He’s a hero to his wife, children, and grandchildren.  He’s a hero to his siblings and nephews and nieces.  He’s a hero to his friends and neighbors.  And he’s a hero to the many patients that he cared for over his 20+ year career as an OB/GYN.  Finally, he’s a hero to so many people involved with Team in Training and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  We consider him our Honored Hero, but he humbly declines the title and insists that we – the folks out running the miles and doing the fundraising for folks like him – are the real heroes.  He insists that we instead refer to him as our team mascot, Mascot Dave.

After 15 years of fighting his CLL, Dave has run out of chemotherapy treatment options.  He’s been treated and gone into remission many times over the years, but his disease has always come back.  So now he’s getting a bone marrow/stem cell transplant – a risky and challenging procedure.  

In honor of Mascot Dave’s journey, Team Ecks Factor has been formed.  They are a group of friends, family, and TNT teammates (who have become dear friends and family) working together to raise money for LLS - money that will be used to fund research into new treatments and, hopefully very soon, cures!   

Dave's family was first involved with LLS over 10 years ago when they participated in the Fort Worth Light The Night walk in 2007. It seems fitting that a decade later they use the same name for their greatly expanded team! 

Dave checked into M.D.Anderson Cancer Hospital back in February in preparation for his bone marrow transplant. During his hospital stay he had to walk every day. His TNT friend, Megan Rouse, came up with the idea of him actually completing a half marathon around the nurses station.  Dave said "I will be completing laps around the nurses pod and each is .2 miles.  The nurses hand out stickers for each lap so I can keep track."

Before he was discharged he completed his virtual half marathon! 

You can read more of Mascot Dave's story on his personal blog here. 

We know that Mascot Dave has touched so many people over the years. Anyone can join Team Ecks Factor and help them reach their goal of $250,000!  

Register for an event today.

www.teamintraining.org/ntx

Meet Dean Smith: Over the Edge Honored Hero

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is honored to introduce you to the Dean Smith, the Honored Hero for the North Texas Chapter's newest campaign: Over the Edge.  Smith, currently in treatment for multiple myeloma, is a perfect fit for this new event -- a thrill seeking Texan!

The Texas-born stuntman Dean Smith, right, with John Wayne
making “The Alamo” in 1959.

Dean Smith is a colorful Texan and Olympic gold medal winner who spent a half century as a Hollywood stuntman and actor, appearing in ten John Wayne movies and doubling for a long list of actors as diverse as Michael Landon, Steve Martin,  Robert Redford, and Roy Rogers.  Dean Smith has taken falls from galloping horses, engaged in fistfights with Kirk Douglas and George C. Scott, and replicated one of the most famous scenes in movie history by climbing on a thundering team of horses to stop a runaway stagecoach.

Growing up he was a wishful and determined small-town boy.  He ran track for the University of Texas, set college records, won an Olympic gold medal at the 1952 Helsinki Games, and played professional football. He then spent the next 50 years as a motion picture and television stuntman. His long list of honors includes membership in the Stuntman’s Hall of Fame, the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

Dean Smith currently lives on a ranch in Ivan, Texas, with his wife, Debby, and son, Finis. He is battling Multiple Myeloma.

Dean's wife tell his story in her own words:

"In January of 2005, Dean was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. He lived in Graham at the time but was hospitalized in Fort Worth. After the initial diagnosis and treatment, Dean was sent home from the hospital with a PIC line in his upper arm where he was administered medicine.  He had home health nurses coming in regularly to check on him. Dean couldn’t walk and was in a wheelchair at first.  As time went on, he slowly progressed and went from the wheelchair, to the walker, to a cane, then back on his own two feet walking.  Soon he was back to riding his horse. For the next 6 years, we obsessed with his cancer numbers and we checked them every month.  They tend to go up and then back down again. Today he doesn’t seem his age although I have noticed him slowing down a bit.  We are very blessed to have good doctors and for Dean taking care of himself as a young man.  When Dean was first diagnosed the Doctors gave him 2 years to live.  Now, 11 years later he is still enjoying life.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is going OVER THE EDGE of the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel to raise awareness and money to help create a world without blood cancers. 2017 will be the first time LLS is offering this event to a limited number of participants.

Take the challenge and rappel down the side of one of the tallest buildings in Fort Worth to help LLS raise $250,000 for the mission.

Get all of the details on our website here.

Questions?

Contact Brian Brooks

(817)288-2635

Brian.Brooks@lls.org

#TNTBECAUSE - Meet Chris & Cheryl

Here is our fourth in a series of posts leading up to the BMW Dallas Marathon. Today we are interviewing Chris & Cheryl Berg.  The Berg's have been involved with LLS since 2008 when their son was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). Read on to hear why they are doing the Dallas Marathon.

1. What made you decide to run the BMW Dallas Marathon?

North Texas is our home and we enjoy running and training in the fall in order to take part in the BMW Dallas Marathon.  This will be Cheryl's 8th marathon and it will be Chris' 7th with TNT.

2. What does it mean to you that the BMW Dallas Marathon has been named a national event for Team In Training?

We are Texas proud!  There is nothing better to see than the sea of Team In Training participants in purple running in Dallas and hearing "Go Team" echo through the downtown buildings. We look forward to seeing all the TNT participants from across the nation joining together for the same cause.

3. What got you involved with Team In Training?
Our son James was diagnosed with ALL in April of 2008, just prior to his 5th birthday.  After a year of intensive treatment and many hospital stays, his health stabilized.  At that point, we wanted to do more to make sure no child would ever have to go through what James had to endure. This year marks James 5th year from being done with the chemo treatment that lasted 3 1/2 years.  James is our hero and our motivation to come back year after year.

4. Finish this sentence, I do “TNTBecause…”
Because if we don't who will.

5. Tell us about the team you’ve formed to run the relay with.
We have not done the relay but the two of us are a team.  Together we have had sleepless nights worrying about James, stressed about how to make all of the right decisions about his treatment and struggled wondering if there will be another shoe that is waiting to drop with his health.  Together we plow through the 26.2 miles each year hoping and praying the efforts of Team in Training members and great researchers make more discoveries to help the next James Berg.

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Did you know?

• BMW Dallas Marathon is the longest running race in the state of Texas
• More than 40 different bands are on the course for your entertainment
• Stay 2 nights at the TNT hotel and you can skip expo lines and have your packet waiting in your hotel room!
• Earn Awesome Fundraising Incentives

Join the Dallas Marathon TNT Team or join the 5 Person Relay!  150 people have already taken the challenge.  Contact Mariel Bongiovanni for more details. 

www.teamintraining.org/ntx

#TNTBECAUSE - Meet Jennifer Massaviol

Here is our third in a series of posts leading up to the BMW Dallas Marathon. Today we are interviewing Jennifer Massaviol.  She has been involved with LLS since 2009 when her Dad, Dave Eckberg, served as a team Honored Hero.  Read on to hear why she is doing the Dallas Marathon.

1. What made you decide to run the BMW Dallas Marathon?

It's such a great, local event.  Though I'm doing the Vegas Half in November, I didn't want to miss out on the excitement of participating in the BMW Dallas Marathon.


2. What does it mean to you that the BMW Dallas Marathon has been named a national event for Team In Training?
It means that we can look forward to a sea of purple people swarming into Dallas to join the fight against blood cancers.  It's always so inspiring to see so many TNT participants working together for a common cause.

3. What got you involved with Team In Training?

 I joined TNT in 2009 after my dad had been an Honored Hero and participant for a couple of years.  I started out walking half marathons with him.  The 2009 Dallas Half-Marathon was my first event.  When my dad was no longer able to train, I decided that I would complete a full Dallas Marathon -- to complete my half and also his.  I'm now fundraising for my 8th and 9th seasons with TNT.

4. Finish this sentence, I do “TNTBecause…”

... it makes me feel less powerless in my dad's fight against leukemia.
... TNT is made up of so many wonderful people.
... I've seen so much progress in the treatments for blood cancers since my dad's diagnosis, and I want to be a part of one day soon finding a CURE.

5. Tell us about the team you’ve formed to run the relay with.

My team is comprised mainly of co-workers.  A TNT teammate (Cate Gussio) and I discovered that we were co-workers at Sprint.  A year later we decided to pull together a Sprint team to run the relay at the Dallas Marathon.

You can read more about Jen's story here. 

______________________________________________________________________________

Did you know?

• BMW Dallas Marathon is the longest running race in the state of Texas
• More than 40 different bands are on the course for your entertainment
• Stay 2 nights at the TNT hotel and you can skip expo lines and have your packet waiting in your hotel room!
• Earn Awesome Fundraising Incentives

Join the Dallas Marathon TNT Team or join the 5 Person Relay!  150 people have already taken the challenge.  Contact Mariel Bongiovanni for more details. 

www.teamintraining.org/ntx

#TNTBECAUSE - Meet Kathleen Tucker

Team In Training is starting a series of blog posts leading up to the BMW Dallas Marathon. We will be interviewing current Team In Training participants to find out why they are training and fundraising for this event. First up is Kathleen Tucker. Kathleen has been involved with TNT since 2012 and raised over $35,000. Read on to hear why she is doing the Dallas Marathon.

1. What made you decide to run the BMW Dallas Marathon?

When I learned that The Dallas Marathon would be a National event I didn't want to miss out on being a part of it. What an exciting thing for North Texas! This will be my 3^rd event in 2016, following the Pixie Dust Challenge and Chicago Marathon. Unfortunately, I’m currently sidelined with an injury so I’m not able to complete the Chicago Marathon this weekend but will still be traveling with the team to cheer them on.

2. What does it mean to you that the BMW Dallas Marathon has been named a national event for Team In Training?

It's an opportunity to show off the awesomeness that we are here in North Texas and the passion we have in our fight against blood cancer. There are so many dedicated folks centered right in our area and it's a great network of support and I'm thrilled we get to show it off!

3. What got you involved with Team In Training?
My brother, Billy, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2004 and lived less than one year after his diagnosis. He was an amazing big brother and had a huge influence on me. The year he was diagnosed I learned about Light the Night and formed a small team to walk. Billy was in treatment at the time but also came out and walked part of the course with us which made it that even more special. I had a team four more years after his death, but then took a break and ended up taking up running. After a race one time, a person at a purple tent handed me a TNT brochure and I was already familiar with LLS. I went to an information meeting shortly after and signed up for my first marathon, Rock n Roll San Diego in 2012. Since then, both my husband and I have done multiple events and have raised over $35,000 for Team in Training. Additionally, I lost my sister, Sharon, to renal cancer in 2013. Cancer has taken too much from me for me to not be involved in the fight to cure cancer so I keep going.

4. Finish this sentence, I do “TNTBecause…”
I do TNT because it helps fill the void that cancer has left in my heart.

5. Tell us about the team you’ve formed to run the relay with.
Our team consists of me, my husband-Mike Tucker, my two friends who are sisters Kayla Hughes and Amanda Wood-their father is a multiple myeloma survivor and Jonathan Eckberg-his father (Dave Eckberg) has been battling CCL for the last 14 years. We've all been impacted by blood cancers.

______________________________________________________________________________

Did you know?

• BMW Dallas Marathon is the longest running race in the state of Texas
• More than 40 different bands are on the course for your entertainment
• Stay 2 nights at the TNT hotel and you can skip expo lines and have your packet waiting in your hotel room!
• Earn Awesome Fundraising Incentives

Join the Dallas Marathon TNT Team or join the 5 Person Relay!  150 people have already taken the challenge.  Contact Mariel Bongiovanni for more details. 

www.teamintraining.org/ntx

Meet Kamryn: Fort Worth Light The Night Honored Hero

 Kamryn was a fourteen year old, straight-A student and competitive cheerleader when she went to see the doctor because of mono-like symptoms.  Three days later, after several blood tests, doctors returned with a diagnosis of biphenotypic leukemia: a rare leukemia where both AML & ALL cells are present.  Please read on to hear Kamryn tell her story in her own words.  Kamryn is serving as our Honored Hero for the Fort Worth Light The Night Walk.

“I was diagnosed with Biphenotypic Acute Leukemia in November of 2014. I was a very healthy, active, and normal 14 year old girl before my diagnosis. I had just started my freshman year as a straight A student at Aledo High School. My whole life was cheerleading, school, and homework.  Around Thanksgiving, I went to the Doctor for mono like symptoms. I was feeling rundown, achy, and very  fatigued. They did blood work and on Monday afternoon my mom got a call from the doctor asking me to come to Cook Children’s Hospital. The next morning I went to the hospital and got the news that I had Leukemia.  I barely knew anything about what cancer was and had never met anyone battling it. My life was completely flipped upside down with no warning.

I was admitted to the hospital immediately and had a port surgically inserted to my chest along with a bone marrow biopsy and lumbar puncture the next morning. I began chemotherapy for ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) that night. I was in and out of the hospital for the next 6 months.  The treatment for AML is very aggressive and they hit it hard and fast for a total of 4 rounds of chemotherapy. I became very sick very fast.  After each round, it would take my immune system longer and longer to bounce back and as soon as it was safe, they would hit it again. The first round I was in the hospital for 40 straight days, spending Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's there.
Losing my hair was a very hard thing for me to deal with. While my friends were at Cowboys Stadium cheering on the Aledo Football Team to another State Championship, I was making the difficult decision to shave the remaining hair I had left.

Besides the 4 more rounds of chemo that I had to endure, I also developed Colitis which ended up with me having a feeding tube inserted surgically into my stomach. Then I suffered a life-threatening fungal infection due to my weakened immune system. This was in my calf muscle which led to a surgery where they took about 30% of my calf muscle.

It was a long, scary 9 months but my life is finally getting back to normal. I’m cancer free!  I’m tumbling again and back to focusing on school.   If it weren’t for the genetic testing advancements in the last couple of years, I would still be undergoing treatment for ALL. The chemo damaged my body and left me with “chemo brain”, a  fogginess that takes a while to go away. Gentler methods to treat cancer are needed now."

*****

Kamryn celebrated her 16th birthday and a year in remission. She has returned to cheerleading, is a Junior at Aledo High School and is now part of the Youth Advisory Counsel at Cook Children’s. Stories like Kamryn’s are far too common and her story could have ended very differently had she not received genetic testing to determine a better treatment plan.  Advancements such as these are crucial in the hunt for cures. Your participation in the Light The Night Walk and your commitment to raise funds on behalf of LLS plays a vital role in allowing LLS to continue investing in promising research.